The 16 Most Comfortable Sneakers for Women That Money Can Buy, According to Nurses, New Yorkers and PureWow Editors

If we’re going to sport sneakers just about everywhere we go, why not invest in the most comfortable sneakers money can buy? After all, we wear them to run, to the gym, to travel, to walk around town, heck some even wear them on their wedding day. I did a deep dive, reading tons and tons of reviews and polling friends and family of the PureWow edit team to pin down the walking, running and slip-on sneakers that are best for all-day use, no matter what you’ve got planned.

As board-certified podiatrist Dr. Anne Sharkey, DPM, explains, the most important thing when searching for comfortable shoes is the fit. And the best way to know what shoes will feel comfy from dawn ‘til dusk? Trying them on at the end of the day. This is by far the easiest way to quickly notice whether that promised arch support is truly living up to the hype.

From super-trendy Adidas Sambas (yes, they do live up to the hype) to your dad’s favorite New Balance 990s and plenty of chic everyday options (hello, Cariuma), these are the sneakers you can depend on to see you through your daily routine in comfort and style. Here, 16 superstar sneaks that are sure to keep your feet feeling comfortable for hours on end, researched and reviewed by your favorite shoe-obsessed editors.

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Dr. Anne Sharkey, DPM, is a board-certified podiatrist based in Austin, TX, with more than 20 years of experience. She received a doctorate of podiatric medicine from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

All of the sneakers on this list were either directly recommended by PureWow editors, friends or family, or are made by brands that work closely with podiatrists to ensure their shoes are comfortable and supportive. Editor testers made sure to wear their sneakers multiple times (some even for a few months straight) to ensure that comfort lasted well beyond the first wear. We also made sure to pay specific attention to how these sneakers held up doing whatever activity it is they’re specifically designed for, be it walking, running, lifting or standing.

To complement our first-person testing, I scoured reviews on multiple sites for each shoe, watched YouTube videos and read up on what the experts at shoe-focused publications had to say. Because the truth is, not every shoe works for every foot, but among the 16 stunners on this list, I feel pretty confident you’ll find at least one pair—or hopefully more—of comfortable sneakers to add to your wardrobe.

“First and foremost when shopping for new shoes, find shoes that fit well,” advises Dr. Sharkey. She suggests trying on new shoes at the end of the day to account for the natural swelling that occurs throughout the day. “Choosing shoes later in the day will ensure that the shoes fit comfortably no matter when worn.” And while most adults will likely admit they haven’t had their shoe size measured since high school (or earlier), getting properly measured in a shoe store every now and then can ensure you’re still getting the correct size, especially as that size may vary by brand. She also stresses the importance of paying attention to the fit of the toe box, i.e., the front of your shoe. “Toes shouldn’t be squished together.” Lastly, she notes that finding the right shoe is really dependent on how and when you plan to wear it. “Know what you are using the shoes for—casual shoes to run errands are going to be very different that shoes for walking hiking paths in your neighborhood and running shoes for the gym.”